Shaker's Kenny Jackson (34), left, tries to avoid Schenectady's Jeremy Kent (5) during their football game on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Shaker's Kenny Jackson (34), left, tries to avoid Schenectady's Jeremy Kent (5) during their football game on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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Shaker's Kenny Jackson (34), right, gains yards as Schenectady's Trent Wheeler (1), left, and Jeremy Kent (5) defend during their football game on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union) less

Shaker's Kenny Jackson (34), right, gains yards as Schenectady's Trent Wheeler (1), left, and Jeremy Kent (5) defend during their football game on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy ... more

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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Shaker's Michael Lewis (28), left, gains yards as Schenectady's Trent Wheeler (1) defends during their football game on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Shaker's Michael Lewis (28), left, gains yards as Schenectady's Trent Wheeler (1) defends during their football game on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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Shaker's quarterback Chris Landers (5) runs the ball during their football game against Schenectady on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Shaker's quarterback Chris Landers (5) runs the ball during their football game against Schenectady on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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Shaker's Garrett McClenahan (18) celebrates when the defense stops Schenectady from scoring a touchdown during their football game on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union) less

Shaker's Garrett McClenahan (18) celebrates when the defense stops Schenectady from scoring a touchdown during their football game on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times ... more

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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Shaker's Jake Quay (38), celebrates their 28-21 win over Schenectady during their football game on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Shaker's Jake Quay (38), celebrates their 28-21 win over Schenectady during their football game on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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Schenectady's quarterback Kwame Jarvis (10) runs the ball during their football game against Shaker on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Schenectady's quarterback Kwame Jarvis (10) runs the ball during their football game against Shaker on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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Schenectady's quarterback Kwame Jarvis (10), center, runs the ball during their football game against Shaker on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Schenectady's quarterback Kwame Jarvis (10), center, runs the ball during their football game against Shaker on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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Schenectady's Hassan Rainey (7), left, gains yards as Shaker's Garrett McClenahan (18) defends during their football game on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Schenectady's Hassan Rainey (7), left, gains yards as Shaker's Garrett McClenahan (18) defends during their football game on Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Shaker High in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)

Photo: Cindy Schultz

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Shaker slips Schenectady

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LATHAM — Before the final minute of Friday night's Class AA semifinal game at Shaker commenced, it already was arguably the best game contested in Section II football this season.

Even after those final 60 seconds were completed, the same thing can be said.

But in addition to a spectacular football game, there ended up being controversy.

Schenectady trailed by seven points with 28.9 seconds left and faced a fourth-and-4 from the Shaker 5. Schenectady senior quarterback Kwame Jarvis rolled right and made the decision quickly to run the ball.

As he neared the end zone, Jarvis reached back with his left arm and dragged the ball as he was hit going out of bounds.

Officials ruled Jarvis down near the 1, although Schenectady coach Jim Kramer vehemently disagreed. A measurement was called for and the Patriots were ruled short. Replays, however, showed Jarvis had indeed scored as he hit the pylon with the ball.

More Information

other Semifinal highlights

Class AA

Shenendehowa breaks away in the second half to beat Columbia 34-12 and move to the Super Bowl.

Class A

Burnt Hills beats back Queensbury 36-20 to head to its seventh consecutive final.

Class B

Schalmont shuts out Ravena 48-0 and earns a return ticket to the Class B Super Bowl.

History, however, will show Shaker won this instant classic Class AA semifinal 28-21.

After the measurement went against his team, Kramer argued some more and was ejected.

"I had a pretty good look at it," Kramer said. "I guess I was a little upset and went too far, but I know how much our kids fight and I didn't want to see something taken away."

Instead of a potential overtime situation, Shaker prevailed in what was a crushing ending for the Patriots. The Blue Bison (9-0) extend the best season in school history into a rematch Friday against Shenendehowa (8-1) in the Super Bowl at Steuerwald Stadium.

"It is going to be electric," Shaker senior lineman David Morrison said.

"Honestly, this means the world to me," Shaker senior lineman Schuyler Huntington said. "I'm not one to cry and yet I was sitting on the sidelines (at the end of the game) hysterically crying. It is an amazing feeling."

The Shaker coaches and players celebrated, not realizing Jarvis should have been awarded a touchdown.

"I understand that they would be upset, but I'm not going to take anything from our guys and what they did over four quarters," Shaker coach Greg Sheeler said. "Referees are part of the game: love 'em or hate 'em. Obviously, we can't do anything about that."

"There was so much tension at the end," Shaker two-way standout Kenny Jackson said. "I saw him reaching for the pylon and three or four people hit him. I saw the pylon go flying. My first reaction was, 'No. No. No.' They came back with the ruling that he didn't score."

Morrison, a three-year starter for the Blue Bison, was asked how he would have felt if teammate Chris Landers was in Jarvis' position and not been awarded a touchdown.

"I would have gone absolutely nuts. I would not have let the ref hear the end of it and I totally understand where they are coming from — it is a matter of centimeters that determines one kid's varsity career from ending or keep going on," Morrison said.

Shaker moved on because its powerful running game, spearheaded by a stellar offensive line and the running of senior Ryan Griffin (114 yards, two touchdowns) and Jackson (95 yards, one TD).

Every time it appeared the Blue Bison had taken control, the Patriots (6-3) stormed back.

After getting the ball back with four minutes left and trailing 28-21, Schenectady used plays from Jarvis (169 yards passing, two touchdowns) and running back Hassan Rainey (120 yards rushing) on the final drive to set the stage for the heart-stopping — and forever-to-be-talked-about conclusion.

"Yes, I knew this was going to be a dogfight. It was the same way the first time we played them," Huntington said. "They came at us and we came at them."